Backpacks and suitcases are our eternal companions on every trip. If you are traveling long distances, you can’t do without a suitcase. A good, sturdy, comfortable suitcase can make the trip more enjoyable. When choosing a suitcase, casters are something we often forget, although it is a super essential component. Wheels – the feet of the suitcase must withstand all types of roads and require some quality management work. Therefore, when buying a suitcase, we should not only look at its appearance and style but also pay attention to the practicality of the wheels. The quality of the wheels directly affects the travel experience. If you choose it properly, then your dragging on any ground will be smooth. So, how to judge the quality of the wheel components? Follow this article and let us take you to correctly identify high-quality suitcase wheels!
1. Material is the key
To judge the quality of the wheel, we must first look at its material. Common luggage wheel materials include plastic, rubber, and more advanced nylon, polyurethane (PU), etc. Although plastic wheels are low-cost, they have limited wear resistance and load-bearing capacity, and are not suitable for long-distance or complex road travel. In contrast, rubber wheels and PU wheels have better wear resistance, grip, and shock absorption effects, can cope with more types of road surfaces, reduce noise, and are ideal choices.
In addition, the wheels currently used in luggage are bearings, but the material of the bearings determines the strength of the wheels. The materials of the bearings are generally divided into two types: one is plastic and the other is steel. If it is a plastic axle, it is easy to break when the box encounters bumps and strong impacts, and the strength is very low. The steel axle will not have this problem, and it is highly resistant to falling and wear, so the wheel is stronger.
2. Type and number of wheels
Universal wheels (360° rotating wheels): This wheel design allows the suitcase to be easily moved in all directions and can be flexibly turned even in a small space, greatly improving the convenience of use. However, universal wheels may not be very stable, especially on uneven ground. When purchasing, pay attention to checking the flexibility and stability of the universal wheels to ensure that there is no jamming or abnormal noise.
Fixed wheels (two-wheel parallel design): Although one-way wheels are not as flexible as universal wheels, they are more stable in some occasions that require straight-line push and pull, such as smooth corridors at airports, and are suitable for flat and sloped roads. However, the disadvantage of one-way wheels is that one side of the suitcase needs to be lifted when turning, which may cause inconvenience. With the popularity of universal wheels, the use scenarios of fixed wheels have been relatively reduced.
Four wheels: Generally speaking, four-wheeled suitcases usually adopt a four-wheel design with two fixed wheels + two universal wheels or all universal wheels. Four-wheeled suitcases can move freely 360 degrees and easily change direction, which makes it easier and simpler to drag the suitcase during travel. It also has better stability, especially on smooth surfaces, providing greater mobility.
Two wheels: Two-wheeled luggage is usually integrated into the main body of the suitcase, with more interior space. Two-wheeled luggage is more adaptable when traveling on rough terrain, and because the wheels on two-wheeled luggage do not have the 360-degree axle of four wheels, they tend to be more durable and less likely to be crashed.
3. Quiet effect
During the journey, a quiet suitcase wheel can greatly enhance your travel experience. High-quality wheels are often made of special materials and structural designs to reduce friction noise with the ground. When shopping in a physical store, you can try to push the suitcase to slide on the floor and listen to whether the sound is low or almost silent. We can also turn the wheel manually and listen to the sound of the shaft wheel turning. It is good if it is smooth and not stuck. If the rotation is not active and there is a sense of being stuck, then it is not a good wheel.
4. Brand and reputation
Finally, brand and reputation are also important indicators for judging the quality of suitcase wheels. Well-known brands, such as Zhongdi, a manufacturer with a 20-year production history, attach great importance to the overall quality of the product, including the material selection and manufacturing process of the wheel, to ensure the maturity and reliability of the product. In addition, by reading the reviews of other users, you can also more intuitively understand the actual use effect of the product and avoid pitfalls.
In short, when choosing a suitcase, don’t forget to pay more attention to the wheels. After all, on a long journey, a good pair of “shoes” can make your trip easier and more enjoyable. Hopefully, the above tips will help you find the perfect suitcase for your trip.
